Public Notice: Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Access Waiver

Department of Health and Human Services

DHHS is seeking 1115(a) Demonstration Waiver authority to support Medicaid payments for individuals receiving substance use disorder (SUD) services in an Institution for Mental Disease (IMD).  

The Department of Health and Human Services is convening two public hearings to seek public input on a Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Access Section 1115(a) Research and Demonstration Waiver that will enable New Hampshire to provide Medicaid payments for individuals receiving substance use disorder (SUD) services in an Institution for Mental Disease (IMD). The hearings will be held: 

Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – Manchester 
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Manchester Health Department
1528 Elm St
Manchester, NH
Call-in option: To participate by phone, call in at 6:00 pm to: 1-866-470-8024
When prompted, use this code: 965 412 0884
Snow Date – Thursday, March 8, 2018, 6 - 7:30 pm, Manchester Health Department

Tuesday, March 13, 2018 - Nashua 
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Harbor Homes - Partnership for Successful Living
77 Northeastern Blvd.
Nashua, NH
Snow Date – Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 1-2:30 pm, Harbor Homes Partnership for Successful Living

New Hampshire is requesting a waiver of the IMD exclusion for Medicaid-eligible individuals ages 21-64 receiving residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in an IMD as long as is medically necessary; and to expand the exception to the IMD exclusion to the provider type, Comprehensive SUD Program. 

The Demonstration will further the objectives of Title XIX of the Social Security Act by increasing access to, stabilizing, and strengthening providers and provider networks, available to serve Medicaid and low-income populations in the state. This will be accomplished by ensuring continuity of care for individuals receiving SUD treatment, increasing access to residential treatment services for adolescents with SUD, and ensuring consistency between public and private coverage for SUD services in New Hampshire. 

The Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Access Section 1115(a) Research and Demonstration Waiver is available for public review at: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sud-imd/index.htm

 The 30-day public comment period for the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Access Section 1115(a) Research and Demonstration Waiver is from Tuesday, February 27, 2018 until Friday, March 30, 2018 at 12 Noon (Eastern). All comments must be received by 12 Noon (Eastern) on Friday, March 30, 2018.

 Comments will be accepted (1) at either of the two scheduled public hearings referenced above; (2) emailed to [email protected] ; or (3) mailed to Leslie Melby, NH Department of Health and Human Services, Attn: Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Access Section 1115(a) Research and Demonstration Waiver, 129 Pleasant St, Concord NH 03301. 

All information regarding the IMD/SUD Waiver can be found on the DHHS web site at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/ under “Quick Links.” DHHS will update this website throughout the public comment and application process.